I sing to him until he sleeps like I did with Rue, like I did with Prim. I fall asleep with him in my arms. When we wake the sun is just peeking out from the horizon.

"I'm sorry he says." His eyes once again clear and blue.

"Forget it I understand. You should've seen me in thirteen." I say and pat his hand

He bear hugs me and I breathe him in for a moment. Still fresh bread and cinnamon. We wake shower, dress and arrive for breakfast.

"Good morning!" Sings Effie. "Big, big day! When we arrive in the Capitol we will be taken to the former training center where we can rest for the afternoon. Then tonight we will attend dinner at the banquet hall with members of the cabinet. Other victors will be there as well…"

Effie chatters on, and everyone else acts as though last nights outburst didn't happen. I nibble my eggs, I need to appreciate food more as I've spent so much time starving. Peeta eats, and appears as though he's recovered. He drinks his tea… without sugar. We should be arriving in the Capitol within the hour so Peeta and I retire in our compartment to spend the time. He pulls out pencil and paper and begins to sketch me, asking me to sit still. I find it hard not to laugh at his deep concentration and at knowing I need to stay still. I eventually do crack and laugh laying back onto the bed.

"Hey!" he exclaims.

I wrap my legs around his torso and take him down to the bed rolling on top of him.

"So serious!" I say poking his ribs. Leaning down and kissing him. His hands run up and down my sides and I begin to undulate simulating sex.

"You're getting me too excited!" He chuckles and rolls me over pinning me down. I wriggle around under his strength. We giggle and continue this back and forth until the train halts. Haymitch swings the door open finding Peeta on top of me and my legs wrapped around him. I throw a pillow at him.

"Goddammit you guys! Take a break! We're here." He says

"Knock you booze hound!" I yell as he leaves.

Hand in hand we stroll from the train to the platform. My heart drops with my jaw. Gale is there to greet us. He's silent for the most part talking only with the other suit who is there with him, but he stares at me. Like a wounded animal. He looks from my face to my hand entwined with Peeta. I pull him closer to me and attempt to avoid his gaze. He did not cognizantly kill my sister, but his weapon did. Gale who I once believed I loved. I never did not like Peeta. Gale is full of vengeance. Hatred. Gale who taught me to make snares was himself ensnared in war. The war brought us all out exposed us for who we really are. And Gale, is the hunter his knowledge the taking of life. I find myself hating him.

We silently file into our cars and without a sound I ride to the facility staring out the window. What will I say to him? He would have been in Peeta's place if there were no games, no war. When we arrive we head to our old familiar apartment. Gale, the official follow us. Gale catches my arm before I can escape to the bedroom.

"I miss you" He says to me.

"Don't" I say.

His eyes flare "You don't understand. I didn't know what was going to happen."

I lose my temper.

"Regardless whether or not Prim died, you made things that killed people! You had no qualms about me killing people in the games! Even if it were Peeta! Life means nothing to you if it stands in your way! Peeta was the only person here who had it right! Peeta is the only one who is good" The last part I screamed at him. I feel a hand on my arm, Haymitch pulling me back. Gale had a red streak across his face. I had slapped him. I storm off toward the bedroom shoving Haymitch. I find the bathroom and barricade myself inside and weep. I miss Gale too. Gale my friend in the woods. We were all we had for a time. The only one who knew me. Now neither one of us knows the other. It's not hate I'm feeling rather mourning. I dig through the bathroom cupboards looking for a razor, I tear bath towels hoping to make a noose. There's rumbling behind the door. It's Peeta trying to reach me. Peeta… who fed me, who saved me from Cato, who would die for me. I scan the ground around me and feel foolish. The door breaks down, Peeta lifts me by my wrists.

"What are you doing?"

"I...I…"

"Stay with me." He says

"Always" I reply and he pulls me to him. The rage fades away as I listen to his heart beating. There's a knock at the bedroom door.

"She's fine" Peeta replies he turns to me and looks at the tools I had arranged on the floor

"Don't you ever think of leaving me again! If you love me you won't do this, you hurt I hurt. You die they win. You're too stubborn for that." He pulls me in and kisses me. I love you I think.

"Should we picnic on the roof?" I suggest

"Oh my God yes!" He replies